MacRumors

Buyer's Guide

This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model.

This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its accuracy.

Apple introduced its second-generation iPad Air on October 16, with pre-orders beginning on October 17. The tablet, which comes with Touch ID, an A8X processor, and an improved camera, will begin shipping to customers next week.

Apple recently introduced the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Both devices launched on September 19 in the first wave of countries. The first reviews describe the units as "thin and sexy", "bigger and better", with impressive battery life

The iPod touch is Apple's only iPod running iOS, offering access to the App Store and the same 4-inch Retina display found on the company's iPhone 5 and 5s. Apple's most recent update cut prices across the board on the iPod touch and upgraded the low-end 16 GB model to feature the same rear camera and Loop wrist strap support found on 32 GB and 64 GB models.

The iPod nano saw its last significant update in September 2012, with a minor September 2013 seeing only the replacement of the previous "slate" color option with "space gray". There have been no credible rumors about the future of the iPod nano, and it remains unclear what Apple's plans are for the line.

At $49, the clip-on 2 GB iPod shuffle is Apple's cheapest and smallest iPod model. Aside from changes to color options, the iPod shuffle has not been updated since September 2010 and it is unclear whether Apple has any plans for significant updates.

On March 9, Apple unveiled the 12-inch MacBook, which is even thinner than the MacBook Air with an Intel Core M processor, a Retina display, and a revamped trackpad. The new notebook launches April 10.

Apple's 11- and 13-inch ultra-portable notebook computers received an update on March 9, 2015 with new Intel Broadwell processors, improved graphics, and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. The 13-inch model also features new flash storage that is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.

Apple's 13 and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros are the company's top-tier portable machines. The 13-inch model received an update on March 9, 2015, while the 15-inch model has not been updated since July 2014.

Apple's iMac is an ultra-thin all-in-one desktop computer, available in 21.5- and 27-inch sizes with an array of build-to-order upgrades. Apple added a new "Retina 5K" version of the 27-inch model at its October 2014 media event, while the rest of the lineup remained unchanged.

Less powerful than other Apple desktop offerings like the iMac and the Mac Pro, the Mac mini is Apple's most affordable and compact desktop computer that's billed as a "bring your own display, keyboard, and mouse" device. It was updated on October 16, 2014, adding Haswell processors, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, PCIe-based flash storage in some models, and Thunderbolt 2.

Apple's non-Retina MacBook Pro line has been whittled down to a single 13-inch model that has not been updated since June 2012. Further updates are unlikely, as the company will likely simply discontinue the model as Retina MacBook Pro models have become more affordable and popular. The model received a $100 price cut in July 2014.

Positioned as Apple's "hobby" project, the Apple TV could evolve into a key product as Apple works to revolutionize the television industry through revamped content delivery systems and hardware. The current Apple TV just saw a price drop from $99 to $69 on March 9, 2015, but Apple reportedly will show off an all-new box with App Store and Siri support at WWDC in June.

Apple's Watch is designed to be both fashionable and functional, available in an array of different color and materials with six different types of watch straps that are easily interchangeable. Prices for the device, which will be available for pre-order and in-store previews on April 10 ahead of an April 24 launch, start at $349 and go as high as $17,000.

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